Melaye had reportedly accused the Senate of operating as an extension of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Villa, a description ARP dismissed as sweeping, politically motivated and unsupported by sufficient evidence.

In a press statement signed by its Project Coordinator, Hon. Muttaka Ahmed Ibrahim, the organisation said criticism of public institutions was a constitutional right but insisted that such criticism must be based on verifiable facts, responsible analysis and objective performance assessments.

ARP questioned the basis for Melaye’s assessment, asking what performance indicators, legislative records and historical comparisons he relied upon in arriving at the conclusion that the 10th Senate was the worst in Nigeria’s democratic history.

The group argued that, as a former member of the National Assembly, Melaye should understand the complexities of parliamentary administration, legislative negotiations, oversight functions and democratic governance.

It maintained that Nigerians deserved evidence-based assessments rather than political statements and sensational declarations.

On the relationship between the Executive and Legislature, ARP argued that cooperation between both arms of government should not automatically be interpreted as a compromise of legislative independence.

According to the organisation, the Constitution does not require the National Assembly to oppose every presidential proposal to demonstrate its independence, stressing that effective democratic governance requires institutional cooperation without undermining constitutional responsibilities.

It noted that the legislature’s primary responsibilities include lawmaking, appropriation, oversight and the protection of the constitutional order.

The organisation also defended Akpabio’s leadership, stating that his performance should be assessed fairly through the Senate’s legislative activities, institutional responsibilities and leadership record.

While acknowledging that the Senate President and the National Assembly must remain open to public scrutiny, ARP cautioned against reducing the office of the Senate President to political ridicule because of partisan disagreements.

The group further called on Melaye to present specific evidence if he had concerns about legislative misconduct, compromised oversight, financial impropriety or constitutional violations.

ARP acknowledged that a credible opposition was essential to democracy but maintained that opposition activities should focus on accountability, exposing wrongdoing, offering policy alternatives and defending citizens’ interests.

ARP reaffirmed its commitment to responsible governance, national unity, democratic stability and the Renewed Hope agenda, while calling for accountability across all public institutions.

The statement was signed by Hon. Muttaka Ahmed Ibrahim, Project Coordinator of the Arewa Revival Project (ARP), under the Renewed Hope Mobilization Platform.

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The festival is a public-private partnership initiative designed to position Nigeria as a global destination for cultural exchange, tourism, investment and economic cooperation, particularly with Africa and the global Black Diaspora.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on AGLOFEST under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation made this known on Wednesday.

Speaking on the postponement, Convener of AGLOFEST and Chief Executive Officer of T-BYK, Tunde MacAlabi said a new date for the launch would be announced in due course.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was expected to unveil the initiative following presidential approval for the international programme, which seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy and economic relations with the global Black Diaspora.

AGLOFEST is being developed in collaboration with relevant Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies, including the Ministries of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; Trade, Investment and Industry; and Foreign Affairs.

The initiative is conceived as an international platform bringing together government leaders, investors, businesses, cultural institutions, creative industry professionals, entrepreneurs, development partners and members of the global Black Diaspora to explore opportunities for cultural exchange, trade and investment.

The festival will feature three major components: the Black Diaspora Economic Forum (BDEF), focusing on trade, investment and business partnerships; the Black Diaspora Cultural Presentation, celebrating Africa’s cultural heritage and creative expressions; and the Renewed Global Hope and Peace Concert, promoting peace, unity and positive global engagement through music and entertainment.

Speaking ahead of the planned launch, MacAlabi had described the presidential approval as a defining milestone in the development of AGLOFEST, expressing appreciation to President Tinubu and acknowledging the support of participating ministries and government agencies.

He said the initiative was conceived to deepen Nigeria’s economic, cultural and strategic relationships with the global Black Diaspora while positioning the country as a leading hub for Black cultural expression, tourism, investment and economic cooperation.

Preparations for the initiative had included engagements with prospective international participants, strategic partners, investors, sponsors, cultural organisations and members of the global Black Diaspora.

Beyond its cultural objectives, AGLOFEST is expected to create opportunities across tourism, hospitality, aviation, transportation, entertainment, creative industries, trade, investment and infrastructure.

The organisers have called on state governments, private-sector organisations, international institutions, development partners, cultural institutions and members of the global Black Diaspora to support the initiative.

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The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, conveyed the President’s approval in a letter dated October 22, 2026, with reference number HCSF/3023/Vol.III/124.

Danjuma’s reinstatement takes effect from October 21, 2026, following the President’s directive that he return to his official duties.

He was suspended on August 21, 2026, alongside two other Permanent Secretaries, following a report by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the activities of a purported agency known as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office.

The agency was allegedly promoted by George Buchi Nwabueze, with suspected active involvement of public servants in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

According to the announcement, the President approved the lifting of Danjuma’s suspension after due diligence and directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to recall him to duty.

Danjuma is expected to resume his responsibilities in line with the extant Public Service Rules, applicable regulations and ethical standards governing the Federal Civil Service.

The announcement did not indicate the status of the suspensions of the two other Permanent Secretaries.

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The SGF, who made the call while receiving a delegation from the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria, led by its Supreme Knight, Sir Steve Adehi on Wednesday, 21st October, 2026 in Abuja, recalled that the agreement was reached in Kaduna in 1999 following extensive consultations between governors-elect on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and prominent political leaders who recognised the need for equitable distribution of political power to preserve Nigeria’s unity.

Akume said the leaders eventually agreed that presidential power should alternate between the North and the South in eight-year cycles, beginning with the South, as a practical measure to promote political balance, strengthen mutual trust and safeguard the country’s territorial integrity. According to him, the discussions were driven by concerns over the concentration of political power in one part of the country and the growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders who believed that a deliberate arrangement was necessary to ensure fairness and national inclusion.

According to the SGF, the arrangement has contributed to the continuity of democratic governance by providing a framework for managing the country’s regional diversity and ensuring that neither part of the country feels permanently excluded from the highest political office. He stressed that the principle of power rotation should not be treated as a temporary political convenience but as an important political understanding rooted in the need for fairness, mutual respect and national stability.

The SGF also frowned at attempts by Northern aspirants to contest the presidency before the completion of the South’s current eight-year tenure, insisting that the North should respect the established sequence and allow the arrangement to run its course. He maintained that, following the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, of blessed memory, a Southerner’s current tenure should be respected in line with the principle of alternating power between the two regions.

While thanking the delegation from the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba for its charitable interventions aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable members of the society, SGF emphasised that the government’s development agenda must be assessed against both immediate economic pressures and the long-term requirements of national growth. He called for a broader understanding of ongoing reforms and investments, noting that sustained collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments would be essential to addressing the country’s challenges and improving the welfare of citizens.

Speaking earlier the Supreme Knight of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Nigeria, Sir  Steve Adehi disclosed that the Knights of St. Mulumba, had undertaken several charitable interventions aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable members of society. These initiatives, he noted, included supporting medical treatment for patients, assisting inmates with outstanding financial obligations to facilitate their release from correctional facilities, providing boreholes, renovating schools and supporting hospitals.

Sir Adehi explained that the interventions were motivated by the recognition that government alone could not address the numerous social and economic challenges confronting the population. It stressed the importance of complementing government efforts through private philanthropy, partnerships and community-based initiatives designed to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions.

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The group praised the Federal Government’s ongoing interventions in the Kano River Irrigation Scheme, particularly at Tiga Dam, Challawa Gorge Dam and Kafin Chiri Dam, describing them as critical to unlocking the agricultural potential of Northern Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its Project Coordinator, Hon. Muttaka Ahmed Ibrahim, the group said the projects, being implemented through the Ecological Project Office under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, reflected the administration’s commitment to sustainable development and economic transformation.

It noted that the interventions would expand irrigable farmland, improve water management, boost agricultural production and create employment opportunities for farmers and rural communities.

According to the project overview, the intervention at Tiga Dam is designed to open about 875 hectares of additional irrigation land, while projects at Challawa Gorge Dam and Kafin Chiri Dam are expected to develop 240 hectares and 164.91 hectares respectively.

The group said the projects aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on food security, economic diversification, poverty reduction and inclusive growth.

It, however, stressed that the success of the interventions would depend on timely completion, effective maintenance, transparent implementation and the active participation of beneficiary communities.

“We must act today to protect our ecological ecosystems and secure a sustainable future for generations to come,” the group said, insisting that ecological remediation must balance biodiversity conservation with environmental sustainability and community livelihoods.

It described the Kano River Irrigation Scheme as proof that ecological restoration must go hand in hand with community engagement, livelihood support and sustainable agricultural opportunities.

The group called on government agencies, local stakeholders and farming communities to support the projects, expressing confidence that continuity in leadership would help consolidate ongoing development initiatives.

It consequently declared its support for Tinubu’s re-election, urging the people of Arewa to embrace sustainable development and actively participate in the democratic process.

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The call was made at the 2026 Annual Planners Conference of the Institute of Planning, Nigeria (IPN), held in Abuja with the theme, “Resilient and Purpose-Driven Planning for Economic Transformation: Navigating Nigeria’s Current Realities.”

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Richard Mayungbe, FIPN, said Nigeria’s economic transformation would depend largely on the ability of policymakers and institutions to translate national aspirations into practical programmes, measurable outcomes and sustainable development.

Mayungbe noted that while recent economic indicators pointed to encouraging signs, aggregate growth alone was insufficient to guarantee improved living standards for Nigerians.

He cited that the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has been working with MDAs to finalise the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2026–2030, with stated ambitions including a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and upper-middle-income status by 2050. The significance of this exercise is not the document itself. Its significance lies in whether the plan can create a disciplined system linking national objectives to sector priorities, budgets, institutions, implementation and measurable results.

According to him, the critical question for planners is whether economic growth can translate into increased productivity, jobs, investment, competitiveness and improved welfare.

He said inflation must also be viewed beyond its macroeconomic implications, noting that rising prices directly affect household purchasing power, business planning, public procurement and the cost and feasibility of development projects.

The keynote speaker urged planners to stress-test development plans while ensuring that the emerging medium-term development framework was firmly linked to national priorities, budgets, institutions, implementation mechanisms and measurable results.

Mayungbe outlined a 10-point agenda for transforming Nigeria’s planning architecture, including making plans results-based, integrating plans with budgets, institutionalising risk and scenario planning, developing interoperable planning data systems, strengthening project appraisal, placing productivity at the centre of sectoral plans, protecting human-capital investments, using AI responsibly, institutionalising monitoring and learning, and ensuring continuity across political and administrative cycles.

Earlier, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute of Planning Nigeria, Dr. McCarthy Ijiebor, FIPN, said the conference was designed to reposition professional planning as a critical instrument for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Ijiebor said Nigeria was at a defining crossroads, citing the impact of fuel subsidy reforms, foreign exchange reforms, rising business costs and persistent inflationary pressures.

He lamented that professional planners had for too long been sidelined in policy formulation, resulting in policy documents that often lacked empirical foundations, broad stakeholder input and clear implementation roadmaps.

He said the IPN was advocating a planning framework that would be data-driven, bottom-up, flexible, adaptive and implementable, with clear key performance indicators, realistic timelines and mechanisms for accountability.

The IPN president urged members across the institute’s 21 specialised faculties, including Strategic Management, Project Planning, Health, Education and Corporate Planning, to use the conference to develop practical strategies for building resilient organisations and executable national and sub-national development frameworks.

Adding her voice, Registrar of IPN, Mrs. Gbadamosi Judith said the conference would also provide an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among professional planners, government institutions, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Judith called on members, including 24 newly inducted Fellows, to renew their commitment to evidence-based planning, stressing that sound data and research were essential to building a productive, inclusive and resilient Nigerian economy.

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The double celebration brought together family members, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to witness the couple’s Walimat-Nikkah and celebrate Ositade’s entry into a new decade.

The marriage united the Ositade and Otubu families of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, with the Ogunlola and Sanni-Omiteru families of Atiba/Fiditi, Oyo State.

The Nikkah was officiated by the National Missioner of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahman Hamad, while the Chairman of the Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, Alhaji Usman Hassan Alao, presented the wedding certificate to the couple.

But beyond the wedding festivities, the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the journey that brought Ositade to the landmark age of 40.

As part of the celebration, his bride, Lateefat, produced a mini-documentary titled BUILT: The Journey of Abdulqayyum Omokolade Ositade, which chronicles defining moments in his personal and professional life.

Rather than presenting a conventional birthday tribute, the documentary takes viewers through the experiences, challenges, setbacks, relationships, achievements and lessons that have shaped Ositade over the years.

The production gave the celebration an additional emotional dimension, with Lateefat not only celebrating her husband but also preserving a record of the journey behind the man with whom she was beginning a new chapter.

The wedding itself was marked by prayers, family bonds and traditional expressions of goodwill, as guests gathered to witness the solemnisation of the union and pray for the couple’s future.

The families subsequently expressed appreciation to guests for their presence, prayers and gifts.

In a message, the family said: “To whom much is given, much is expected. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for your presence, prayers and presents at our children, Abdulqayyum and Lateefat Ositade Walimat-Nikkah. We really appreciate you. Ire a ka ri o. God bless you and yours. Aameen.”

With the marriage, Ositade’s 40th birthday became more than a personal milestone. It was a convergence of family, faith, love and reflection, as two families were joined while the story of his journey was preserved for posterity.

For Ositade, September 20 will remain a defining date: the day he crossed into a new decade, took a wife and celebrated not only where he had arrived, but the journey that brought him there.

The post A Milestone Celebration: Ositade Weds Lateefat as ‘BUILT’ Documentary Debuts in Lagos appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

The strategic engagement brought together the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John, Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Transportation, Logistics and Innovation, Prince (Dr.) Segun Obayendo, government officials, transport operators, road safety institutions and private sector representatives.

Speaking at the gathering, Ade-John said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains committed to repositioning Nigeria’s transportation sector as a key driver of economic growth, national productivity and improved mobility, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies and industry stakeholders.

He emphasised the importance of coordinated reforms, innovation, road safety and strategic investments in transportation infrastructure to support the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and economic transformation objectives.

The engagement featured a presentation on the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) experience by its Managing Director, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, as well as a technical session titled “Repositioning Road Transport for $1 Trillion Dollar Economy.”

The session examined the role of an efficient road transport system in facilitating trade, improving connectivity, strengthening logistics and supporting Nigeria’s economic expansion.

The Federal Road Safety Corps also presented the National Road Safety Advisory Council Status Report, highlighting the need for institutional cooperation and enhanced safety measures across the country’s road transport system.

Participants included the Commissioner of Transportation, Ogun State, and Chairman of the Nigerian Transport Commissioners Forum; the National President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO); representatives of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Joint Revenue Board, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Nigeria Police Force.

The meeting underscored the Federal Government’s drive to foster a safer, more efficient and economically productive road transport sector through stakeholder collaboration and institutional reforms.

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The Special National Prayer for Nigeria, scheduled to hold from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., is intended to provide an opportunity for Muslims to collectively seek Allah’s guidance, protection, peace and blessings for the country and its citizenry.

In a statement signed on Tuesday by Abbas Jimoh, Public Affairs Officer, NSCIA addition, said the Council will hold its General Assembly the following day, Thursday, 1 October 2026, at the same venue, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

The General Assembly is the highest decision-making organ of the NSCIA and constitutes the largest gathering of the Council.

The Assembly, headed by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also comprises the Deputy President-General (North) and Shehu of Borno, HRH Alhaji Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, CFR; the Deputy President-General (South), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, FCS; the Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, FNAL; the Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu; Muslim public office holders, including Governors, members of the Legislature, Honourable Ministers, Heads of Government Agencies and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs); and representatives of the 36 State Councils for Islamic Affairs and the FCT.

There are also representatives of Islamic organisations, members of the General Purpose Committee (GPC) and the Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC) of the NSCIA, as well as prominent Muslim personalities from across Nigeria.

The NSCIA General Assembly also serves as a broad platform for consultation, reflection and consideration of issues affecting the Council, the Muslim Ummah and the Nation at large.

The NSCIA calls on all invited members, representatives and stakeholders from across the country to make adequate arrangements to participate in and contribute to the success of the two-day programme.

The NSCIA further urges Muslims across Nigeria to use the occasion to pray for continued peace, unity, security, good governance and sustainable development in the country.

The Council reiterates its commitment to promoting unity among Muslims, fostering peaceful coexistence and supporting efforts towards the stability and progress of Nigeria.

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The intervention follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for immediate action as motorists, transport operators and passengers grapple with prolonged delays and obstruction along the strategic corridor. The coordinated response is aimed at clearing bottlenecks, restoring road safety and reopening affected sections to normal traffic.

Ade-John participated in a high-level meeting with the FRSC Corps Marshal, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, mni; the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo; and the National President of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Yusuf Lawal, where immediate measures were agreed to strengthen traffic management and tackle the causes of the gridlock.

The Wuya Bridge between Kutigi and Bida remains a major flashpoint, with congestion worsening on Wednesdays as traffic surges around the weekly market. FRSC personnel in Bida and Kutigi have continued to deploy on Wednesdays to control vehicle movement, while broader measures are being pursued to address recurring congestion along the corridor.

The situation is also critical along the Bida–Badeggi–Agaie Road and the Maje–Diko Junction axis in front of the Suleja NNPC Depot, where traffic has reportedly been blocked in both directions for about 15 days, disrupting the movement of passengers, commercial vehicles and goods.

Ade-John reaffirmed the Presidency’s determination to confront transportation bottlenecks that undermine mobility and economic activity, urging motorists and transport operators to cooperate with traffic officials and exercise patience as the intervention takes effect.

Similarly, the Federal Government is moving to clamp down on indiscriminate truck parking along the Coastal Road and Deep-Sea Port Access Road corridor in Lagos. Ade-John, speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Nigerian Ports Authority, said trucks found obstructing the corridor would be impounded and moved to an approved truck park, warning that the government would not allow unauthorised parking to undermine traffic flow, road safety and the huge public investment in the strategic corridor.

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